AllEarth Solar Power Blog

When considering any investment in solar it is critical to look beyond the simple math of the installed cost of the system. In business, an investment is assessed not on the upfront capital expenditure but rather on the longer-term return on investment. In a similar fashion, when assessing the value of a solar installation, it is critical to look beyond the upfront installed cost and focus on the long-term energy production.

When it comes to small commercial solar, return on investment is one of the key measures of a project's success. One of the best ways to get the most bang for your buck and meet your bottom line is reframing the way you think about the products and techniques used, and moving beyond the traditional dollar per watt measures. Thinking about production capacity, and your dollar per kilowatt-hour, will yield a much better picture of how your project will fare.

Utility-scale solar is booming, and residential solar is on the rise, but the small commercial solar market is still largely unrealized, despite wide open potential for growth. It's clear that moving into this space holds a lot of opportunity and potential for business growth, but how do you get started? In this three-postseries, we're covering the basics of what you need to know to take the next step. This post is based on information presented by AllEarth Project Engineer Doug MacDonald in our small commercial solar webinar.

When considering going solar, it's important to match the size and scope of your solar system to the current and projected energy needs of your household. Researching your options for a solar system comes down to two variables: what energy needs must be met, and what the solar resources available in your geographic area are.